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JOHNNY'S NEW SUIT 



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Johnny's New Suit 



A Comedy in Two Acts 



By 

MARY G. BALCH 



BOSTON 

WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 
1917 






>«? 



^ 



Johnny's New Suit 



CHARACTERS 



Mrs. Silas Larkin, mother of a growing boy. 

John Larkin, the boy. 

Mrs. Albert Spencer, a neighbor. 

Miss Miranda Brown, president of Choral and Rhetorical Society. 

Arethusa Petti ngell \ young people who compete for the 

Matilda B. Green j "prise." 

Deacon Rick, judge. 



NOTE 

The parts of Arethusa Pettingell, Matilda Green and John 
Larkin should be taken by adults dressed as children. John's 
part may be effectively taken by a woman. 




fc 



:"' 



Copyright, i9i£ssby Walter H Baker & Co. 
&/ CI, D 4 t 8 6 5 

SEP IBI917 






Johnny's New Suit 



ACT I 

SCENE. — Mrs. Larkin's sitting-room. Simple, old-fashioned, 
well-worn furniture. Door at back. Table and chairs lit- 
tered with sewing implements, cloth, patterns, etc. 

{As curtain rises, Mrs. Silas Larkin is seen seated near ta- 
ble cutting out sleeves on lap-board. She studies the sleeves 
with great concer?ifor a few moments.') 

Mrs. L. Well, I bet I've made a blunder now. Where's 
that pattern ? {Puts doiun lap-board hastily, drops scissors as 
she rises to search for pattern. Reads from pattern.') 
"Sleeves — put pattern with double perforations lengthwise of 
goods." Yes, I'm sure I got that all right. {Reads.) " Join 
upper and under-arm by putting single notches together and at 
the elbow ease in the fulness, ease in the fulness — between X 
and double notches " I wonder what that means ? {Ex- 
amines sleeves.) The double notches are there but I don't see 
where there's going to be no fulness. Ain't these things puz- 
zling anyhow? I ain't used this pattern for so long, I declare, 
I've lost all sense of it. {Reads.) "Allowance for extra length 
may be made at the bottom." My land ! I forgot to add any- 
thing on to the bottom of them sleeves. I allowed on the 
width, but when I went back to make them notches, I forgot to 
add anything onto the length, and Johnny's arm growing just 
like a corn-stalk ! {Snatches tape-measure from back of chair 
and rushes to door. Calls.) Johnny ! Come in here a 
minute, Johnny! Now, where's that boy gone? He's 
always off when I want him. I'll never get this suit 
done in this world. I'll have to wait now till he comes 
in to get his measurements, though I don't know what I 
can do about it if they are too short. I ain't got cloth enough 



4 JOHNNY S NEW SUIT 

for new ones. I suppose I can keep busy with these facings. 
(Sits with lap-board.) Now, where the dickens did I put them 
scissors? (Finds them on floor and begins to cut rapidly.) 
This is positively the last suit I am going to make for that boy. 
It's getting to a point where there ain't no economy in it, but I 
wouldn't mind so much if I wasn't so pushed for time. What- 
ever became of that pin-cushion? It was here just a minute 
ago. (Knock heard.) Now, ain't that the luck? Who can 
be coming at this time of day? Well, whoever 'tis won't get a 
bite to eat, that's sure. I'm just going to get a lunch for Silas. 
I ain't got time to get supper for nobody to-night, I tell you 
that. (Rises, brushes off threads, and turns her apron.) I 
should think that any one around here would know that Johnny 
is going to speak at the Sunday-school entertainment to-night, 
and might think I'd be busy rehearsing him. (K?iock heard 
again.) Ain't this room a sight? {Goes to door.) Is that 
you, Mrs. Spencer? Come right in. I declare, I'm tickled to 
see you. I never thought about it being you. Ain't this most 
your supper time ? 

Enter Mrs. Albert Spencer. 

Mrs. S. Yes, it is, and I've just been up to the store for 
some bread. I thought I'd just step in on my way back to see 
if you were going to the entertainment this evening. Bert will 
have to be away and I'd like to go with you. I'm a little timid 
about going alone. I'm not quite used to the country yet. 

Mrs. L. Oh, yes, indeed, I'm going. Why, Johnny's going 
to speak, you know. Set down, Mrs. Spencer. (Mrs. S. 
looks around for an empty chair. Mrs. L. sits by table again, 
but soon rises.) Well, 1 declare, there ain't no place to set, is 
there ? (Removes sewing material from chair and dusts chair 
with her apron.) I just let everything go to-day because I've 
got to get Johnny's suit done for him to wear to-night. If you 
don't mind I'll keep right on sewing. I guess I've got to get 
it done. Ain't it an awful job to make boys' clothes? 

Mrs. S. I don't know ; I never made any. 

Mrs. L. Wasn't no boys in your family, maybe. Well, 
they're an awful care. Always getting their clothes tore unex- 
pected. I wasn't intending to make this suit up for Johnny 
till fall, but he come home cross-lots from Joe Wigg's birthday 
party yesterday and got all mixed up in some barbed wire. 
Tore his clothes all to pieces, so I've been working just like a 
mill all day to get him ready for to-night. 



JOHNNY S NEW SUIT 5 

Mrs. S. I've sometimes made simple dresses, but I never 
would attempt anything tailored. 

Mrs. L. Tailored ? What's a tailor to do with it? If you 
make it yourself, how can it be tailored ? 

Mrs. S. Why, stitched and pressed and stiffened and all 
that, you know. That's hard to do. 

Mrs. L. It ain't no work to stitch if you've got a machine. 
And if the seams draw anywhere a warm flat-iron helps a lot, 
but as for stiffness, well, Johnny won't stand for anything stiff. 
He takes it from his father. Now, Silas has got a stiff collar 
laid away somewhere, one he had when we was married. It's 
a-getting awful yeller and I have to take it out and wash it once 
in a while, so to have it ready if he should want it for a funeral 
or something, but he won't wear it on no festive occasion. 
(Johnny Larkin is heard whistling off stage.} Johnny, you 
come right in here now, I want to try these sleeves. 

Johnny (off stage). No, I don't want to. 

Mrs. L. You come right in here; I've been waiting for 
you. How do you think I'm going to get this suit done unless 
you're here when I need you? (Johnny enters, sees Mrs. S., 
and hangs back.) Oh, come right in; never mind Mrs. Spen- 
cer ; she's seen boys before if she ain't sewed for 'em. 

(Johnny* holds arm aivkwardly while Mrs. L. tries the 
sleeve.) 

Mrs. S. How do you do, John ? I hear you are going to 
speak to-night. 

Johnny. Yes'm. 

Mrs. S. Going to speak all alone ? 

Johnny. Yes'm. 

Mrs. S. Well, isn't that fine? I'll surely be there. 

Johnny. Yes'm. 

Mrs. L. That sleeve is going to be too short, just as I 
feared. It will be if he grows the least mite. Ain't that a 
shame ? 

Mrs. S. Can't you put a cuff on it if it proves to be too 
short ? 

Mrs. L. Well, now, I never thought of that ; I suppose I 
could. (Johnny tries to sneak away.) You hang right around 
here, Johnny; I'm liable to want you any minute. Go show 
Mrs. Spencer the picture you got for speaking last year. 
(Johnny exits.) His teacher says he done better than any one 
in his class. All them that got a picture last time is entitled to 



6 JOHNNY S NEW SUIT 

speak to-night. They're going to have a real nice prize this 
year. I think Johnny ought to get it easy ; he's got a fine 
piece I found for him. I ain't never heard it read before. 
(Johnny enters with picture which he shows to Mrs. S.) 
Now, ain't that a lovely picture? 

Mrs. S. Why — er — yes — it is— very bright and cheerful. 
That would brighten up most any dark corner, wouldn't it? 
(Johnny steps on Mrs. S.'s bread which she had placed by her 
chair.') Oh, John, my bread ! 

Mrs. L. Careful, Johnny, don't be so clumsy. Keep your 
feet off Mrs. Spencer's bread. If it is store bread it won't stand 
everything. {Hunts among her pieces.) Say, Mrs. Spencer, 
you don't see anything of a piece of cloth that looks like a col- 
lar, do you? I'm sure I cut one. 

Mrs. S. Why, no, but maybe I'm sitting on it. {Rises, 
helps Mrs. L. hunt for collar. Johnny takes the opportimity 
to leave the room.) Is this it, Mrs. Larkin? 

Mrs. L. I guess it must be, but it don't look just as I re- 
member it. I ain't used this pattern for most two years, and 
I've allowed on so much the pieces don't look natural. 

Mrs. S. Most two years? Why, John must have changed 
a lot in that time. I should think you would need a new one 
by now. 

Mrs. L. {sewing). These patterns don't help much, any- 
how. Here it says three-eighth inch seam allowed. Pooh ! 
What's a three-eighth seam on a' growing boy? Now, when 
Johnny was little I had a pattern that I made myself, and 1 had 
real good luck with it, too. But one time my cousin come up 
from Boston visiting and she said it wasn't like what the boys 
down there were wearing, so when she went home she sent up 
one of these 'ere city patterns. Every year for a spell she sent 
up a new one, but this was the last one she sent. 

Mrs. S. She probably thinks you are buying John's clothes 
ready-made now. 

Mrs. L. Well, I would be if I had my way and I was just 
a-saying this was the last suit I was going to put scissors to. I 
wanted to take Johnny down to Nashuay last fall and get him 
a suit as is one, but his father had just taken him down to the 
circus three months before and we couldn't afford no more 
trips. I had this cloth on hand and Silas said we'd have to 
economize. Our old horse died, you know ; of course he 
wa'n't real young, but there was more good in him. Then we 
had to have the barn shingled and Silas had to have his new 



JOHNNY S NEW SUIT 7 

false teeth all about the same time, as you might say. How 
this basting-thread does knot up ! 

Mrs. S. Can't I help you a little, you have so much work 
here? I can't stay long, but I could work while I stay. 

Mrs. L. Well, no, I don't know as there is much you can 
do. The pants is all run up, and I guess I've got the jacket 
down to one pair of hands now. You might read me them 
directions for fastening on that collar. {Gives pattern to 
Mrs. S. and holds up sewing.) Say, them sleeves don't look 
in right, do they? {Rises.) 

Mrs. S. Are you sure you went by the notches ? 

Mrs. L. You couldn't make a mistake there. All there is 
to these tishy patterns is notches and perforations. 

Mrs. S. Perhaps you cut them both for the same arm. Do 
you suppose you did ? 

Mrs. L. You don't think I'd make a blunder like that, 
after all the clothes I've made, do you? Where's that boy ? 
I'll see how they look on him. {Walks to door. Calls.) 
Johnny ! 

Johnny {off stage). I can't try on anything, ma, — I'm — 
I'm — I'm washing up. 

Mrs. L. You're washing up? Well, I'm glad you've got 
that foresight ; I declare, it's unusual. You be sure you wash 
behind your ears. And take that brush that's back of the sink 
and scrub your hands. And, Johnny, when you get that done, 
I want you to go up-stairs into the spare-room where there 
won't nobody hear you, and go all through your piece from 
beginning to end. Don't forget your bow, and put in all them 
gestures I showed you how. {Returns to Mrs. S.) I'll leave 
these sleeves now till I try on the whole thing. 

Mrs. S. {looking at pattern). Mrs. Larkin, in the pattern 
the coat has two box-plaits. 

Mrs. L. Yes, I know, but I let it go right into the fulness 
this time. Johnny has grown more than two plaits since this 
pattern fitted him. Why, you ain't no idee how they grow. 
{Sits.) Well, now, what does it say about that collar? 

Mrs. S. {reading). "Put center seams together, and 
at " 

Mrs. L. * Hold on a minute, let me get my bearings. Put 
center seams together? Why, I ain't got but one. How is 
anybody going to have two seams, both in the center? Ain't 
that sensible ? I declare, any one would have to study algebry 
to make anything out of these patterns. 



8 johnny's new suit 

Mrs. S. It means to put the center of the collar to the 
center of the coat. 

Mrs. L. Why, I should think any one would know that 
without being told. These patterns may be all right for city 
folks who don't have nothing to do but sit around and have 
things explained to them, but I guess if they lived in the 
country where folks has to hustle, they'd get some sense into 
them. You needn't read any more. My head is all beat out 
now trying to get down to such foolishness. I'll use my judg- 
ment. 

Mrs. S. You seem to be getting along all right, so I'll 
hurry home and 

Mrs. L. Don't hurry on my account, but I suppose you 
want to get your supper. {Rises.) I declare, I've been so het 
up over this sewing, I ain't had time to ask you who you saw 
up to the store, but we can talk that over on the way up and 
after the speaking. The strain will be over then. 

Mrs. S. What time do you start, Mrs. Larkin ? 

Mrs. L. You better get here about seven. I shall want to 
get a front seat, you know. (Mrs. S. exits.) How she has 
hendered, just as if I didn't have enough to do as it was. 
{Steps heard off stage. ,) Is that you, Silas? 

Johnny {entering). No, ma, it's me, but I can't try on 
anything. I was just going up-stairs. 

Mrs. L. Well, you'll have to wait now. I want you to go 
tell your father that he'll have to get his own supper the best 
he can. I've got all I can tend to right here. He knows I'm 
driven. There's a pitcher of milk just as you go into the 
pantry. If he finds it's turned a little, he can take some of 
that, that's in the pan on the middle shelf. Tell him to skim 
it first, because I've got to churn to-morrow. Now, hurry. 
(Johnny exits. Mrs. L. calls after him.) The bread, you 
know, is right in the jar. 'Tell him to take that that's on top, 
that's the oldest. {Returns to sewing.) Poor Bert Spencer 
has got to eat store bread. Well, we ain't never been driven 
to that yet. Mrs. Spencer thinks that because she was a sten- 
ographer down to Nashuay, and married Bert Spencer, who 
went off for a spell to get some higher education, that it ain't 
proper to make anything to home, even bread. I guess she 
thinks home-made clothes is a little beneath her, but 1 guess 
she'll find Johnny will look just as well as the best of them. 
Humph, I can remember when Bert Spencer wore clothes so 
home-made looking I wouldn't put 'em on to any child. {Rises 



JOHNNY S NEW SUIT 9 

and goes toward door. Calls.) Johnny ! (Johnny enters.) 
Now, Johnny, I want you to take this suit and try it On just as 
fast as you can while I'm threading up the machine and pick- 
ing up the pieces. I can't waste any more time. 

Johnny. But, ma, I'm awful hungry. 

Mrs. L. There'll be plenty of time for you to eat whilst I'm 
a-stitching up the seams, but it has got to be fitted first, so it 
will pay you to hurry. 

Johnny. But, ma, 1 ain't went over my piece yet. 

Mrs. L. Don't you hender me a minute. You do just as 
I say, and be quick about it. Let me see, which is which ? 
Yes, them's the pants. Now, hurry. (Johnny exits with suit. 
Mr , L. picks up pieces.) What did I do with Johnny's book? 
Oh, here it is. I do hope I'll find time to hear him go over it 
at least once before we go. 1 ain't no way sure that he's re- 
membered it. {Hunts in basket for thread.) I don't know 
now as I've got any thread that will match this. {Sighs and 
sits down with basket.) 1 know one thing, Abigail Larkin 
ain't going to cut any such day's work as this again. 

Johnny {entering ivith new suit on ; advancing awkwardly). - 
Say, ma, I can't wear these, they're too big. 

(Mrs. L. rises to inspect her work. The pants are large 
and ill-fitting. The coat hangs unevenly and the sleeves 
are too short and twist at the arm-hole.) 

Mrs. L. I declare, they don't look noway as I thought they 
would. Back up here. {Pulls coat down and Johnny raises 
shoulder. Mrs. L. pulls it down on other side and Johnny 
raises other shoulder. Repeat.) Stop humping up your shoul- 
ders that way. I didn't cut this coat to fit no camel. 

Johnny. Well, it don't feel good, ma. 

Mrs. L. Well, 1 can't help that ; it's the looks I'm after. 
(Johnny stretches out arms.) Don't stretch out your arms 
that way, you'll be busting them bastes. 

Johnny. \ ain't never going to wear this suit, so there ! 

Mrs. L. What's that, you ain't going to wear it ? Well, I 
guess you be. What you think I've been working like a slave 
for ? You don't think I bought this cloth to throw away, 
do you ? 1 paid thirty-nine cents a yard for it, too, so to 
have it every thread wool. {Knock heard.) Who can that be 
coming now ? {Drops into chair.) I declare, Johnny, I'm 
clean discouraged. 



10 JOHNNY S NEW SUIT 

Enter Mrs. S., hurriedly. 

Mrs. S. Oh, Mrs. Larkin, I'm afraid I've kept you wait- 
ing. It was later than I thought when I got home, but I've 
hurried my supper and it is only seven-fifteen now. I'm sorry 
to be late. 

Mrs. L. (gasping). Seven -fifteen ! Johnny! (She is alarmed 
at the lateness of the hour, but ivishes to conceal the fact fro?n 
Mrs. S. She pushes Johnny behind her and as she talks tries 
ahuays to stand between Mrs. S. and Johnny.) Well, — I'm — 
I'm a little bit late with my supper myself, — and — and I've 
got a little bit more to do, — that is — I'm not quite ready, you 
know, so you better go right along and not wait for me. 

(Tries to urge Mrs. S. toward door.) 

Mrs. S. But I'm in no hurry. Why can't I wait ? Johnny 
is all ready, isn't he ? 

Johnny. No'm, it ain't 

Mrs. L. Hush ! 

Johnny. I ain't eat 

Mrs. L. Hush ! (To Mrs. S.) Oh, yes, yes, he's almost 
ready, but I've got a little pressing to do here and there, you 
know, yes, and a little picking up, so you go right along. I 
wouldn't keep you for a minute, no. I'll get there as quick as 
I can. There ain't a mite of need of your being late. (Mrs. 
S., urged on by Mrs. L., has reached the door. Mrs. S. exits, 
not quite understanding the situation. Mrs. L. calls after her.) 
There ain't a mite of anything to be afraid of between here and 
there. That funny noise you always hear up at the corner is 
just the water running in the gutter, I calculate. And if Wil- 
son's dog comes out and barks at you, don't be scart. Jt 
sounds savage, but he don't mean nothing by it. (Returns to 
Johnny.) Johnny! Seven - fi fteen ! 

Johnny. Ma, why didn't you let her wait? 

Mrs. L. Wait ? Do you suppose I want her to know that 
you'll have to speak a piece in a suit that ain't half finished ? 
She'll spread it all around that it is home-made as it is. Why, 
I had no idee it was so late. Ain't we in a pickle? Well, 
we'll have to make the best of it, that's all. You come right 
here and let me pin up that hem. There's no time for stitch- 
ing, that's sure. What's got that pin-cushion? 

(Hunts for cushion.) 



JOHNNYS NEW SUIT II 

Johnny (whining ). But, ma, I ain't got to wear these, 
have I, ma ? Ma, have I ? 

Mrs. L. (pinning up hem of jacket}. What else have you 
got? If you'd kept away from that barb-wire fence like you 
ought to have done after all I've cautioned you about it, you 
might have worn your old ones, but there ain't no boy of mine 
going to speak a piece in no public place in overalls or clothes 
that's tore. (Johnny stands on one foot.} Stand up, Johnny ; 
I can't pin this no way decent with you lopping. 

Johnny. These pins will show, won't they, ma? 

Mrs. L. No, the light is awful dim there and I'm pinning 
them blind. The basting threads sink right into this cloth real 
good. Right here in this strong light they don't show scarcely 
any. I tell you, Johnny, you're lucky to have a mother who 
has got some sense and foresight. It ain't every boy as has a 
mother that can see a way out of a tight place like this. I sup- 
pose you would have called Mrs. Spencer right in and told her 
your clothes was only basted. You pretty near leaked it out as 
it was. There, that's the best we can do. Now, you run and 
fetch your necktie, and just bring along my bonnet and shawl 
from the hall. (Johnny exits. Mrs. L. removes her apron, 
brushes her dress, and smoothes her hair.) This ain't the 
dress I was calculating to wear, but I guess there won't any- 
body notice me much, the attention will all be on them that's 
speaking. (Johnny enters with shawl, bonnet, cap and neck- 
tie. Throws things into a chair and brings necktie to his 
mother. Mrs. L. ties it for him.) Are you sure you've got 
your lines all right, Johnny ? 

Johnny. Yes'm, I guess I'll get the prize all right. 

Mrs. L. Well, I ain't no way sure about that. I want you 
to speak up nice and loud so as every one can hear you. Just 
as like as not Deacon Rice will be chosen judge, and you know 
he is awful deaf. And don't stand like a stick, neither; make 
it just as real as you can. We may be late, but I'll try to find 
a way to get up front some way, so to prompt you if you should 
happen to forget. 

Johnny. But, ma, I'm awful hungry. 

Mrs. L. (tying on bonnet). There's no time to eat now, 
but if you speak the best of any one, perhaps I'll give you a 
cent to buy a cornball, if they have any to sell. (Puts oti 
shawl while Johnny begins to look for his pockets.) Now, 
Johnny, I don't want you to try to put your hand in any pocket 
whatever. Just remember they ain't been sewed in yet. And 



12 johnny's new suit 

I want you to keep by yourself just as much as possible and 
when you move around don't put a mite of strain on them seams. 
Get your book, now ; we've got to hurry. 

{Exits. Johnny sfiatches book from table, puts on his cap 
aTidfollozus her.) 



CURTAIN 



ACT II 

SCENE.— Platform of Meeting-house Hall, North Croivfield. 
The stage is free of furniture of any kind. Entra?ice at 
back. 

{Just before curtain rises, Miss Miranda Brown, a perso?i 
of dignity, enters main hall carrying a small, showy, gaud- 
ily framed picture and takes her seat fro?it of the audience. 
She may be dressed in any manner in keeping with rural 
surroundings. As she talks she should give the impression 
of having learned what she believes to be a suitable speech, 
but in her confusion words do not follow just as she 
planned them. When curtain rises she steps before the 
stage and faces audience.') 

Miss B. Ladies and gentlemen, on this ostensible occasion, 
it gives me great pleasure, as president of the Choral and Ora- 
torical Society of North Crowfield, — that is to say, — that I'm 
glad you have taken this ostensible occasion — to take a seat, 
that is, to be present at the contest on this ostensible occasion. 
In this rare and wonderful community, — I mean, of course, the 
youth in this community is rare, — that is to say, — the rare 
ability in the youth of this community is rare — and should be 
improved and enjoyed. If we should travel the length of the 

earth, that is to say, if we should start from (name local 

town on north), on the north end, and travel to our finish at 

(name local toivn on south'), on the south end, we would 

not pass through any city or town where the rare oratorical 
ability is so rare, — as in the youth of — this rare community. 
In order that the rare ability be preserved, — that is, kept, — the 
society has picked, — or selected, — this beautiful prize {showing 
picture), which will be rewarded to the most beautiful speaker, 
or singer ; that is to say, the beautiful prize will be rewarded 
to the speaker or most beautiful singer who — who makes the 
most beautiful effort. That is, you understand, this beautiful 
prize is to go to — to — to the one who gets it. As president of 
the society, it gives me great pleasure to pick, — that is to say, 
choose, Deacon Rice for a judge (pointing with her fan to 

l 3 



14 johnny's new suit 

Deacon Rice, who should be sitting somewhere in the hall), 
and for a second judge, Miss Patience Smiley {pointing to some 
woman in audience who happens to be sitting near Deacon), 
and Oliver Wiggly will also judge. {Points to some boy in au- 
dience.*) After the contest is completed, or finished, that is to 
say, after it is all over and done with, the three judges will be 
pleased to meet, that is to say, we will be pleased if the three 
judges will meet, at any time and place the three judges please 
to meet, and will administer this beautiful prize according to 
the law of judgment. (Mrs. L. now comes hurriedly down the 
main aisle of the hall, bringing a chair with her. She takes 
her seat front of audience, L.) The first to contest will be 
Miss Arethusa Pettingell. (Arethusa Pettingell enters stage, 
back, when her ?iame is called. The selection may be optional. 
Miss B. sits during the recitation, but after Arethusa exits, 
she rises to announce the next speaker. ) Miss Matilda B. 
Green will now entertain us. (Matilda B. Green enters in 
the same way. If desired, Matilda may sing rather than re- 
cite. She exits after her performance. Miss B. rises again.') 
The last will be a declamation by Master John Larkin. 

{At this, Mrs. L. opens her book and shows some signs of 
nervousness.) 

(Note. — Johnny's suit is not made upon the stage. The 
sleeves upon which Mrs. L. works in Act 1 are extra ones, 
and she merely appears to seiu the sleeves into the coat. The 
left sleeve should be securely fastened to the coat about one- 
third the length of the arm-hole at the back. It should be 
basted the rest of the way. Between Acts I and II, this 
basting thread is removed, but the rip is not noticed until 
left arm is extended in its first gesture. During Act I, 
the back, center seam of coat should be basted with a close 
stitch. Betiveen the acts this thread should be removed 
and seam basted with a long, loose stitch so it may be 
ripped easily. The rip in the side-seam is imaginary.) 

(Johnny e?iters stage, back, and walks toivard center, feel- 
ing for his pockets awkwardly, but looking straight ahead. 
As he nears the front, he sees his mother and drops his 
arms and holds arms and fingers very stiffly by his side.) 

Johnny {reciting). 

It was a black, an awful night, 



JOHNNY S NEW SUIT I5 

(Remembers he has not bozved. Boivs, and gives title,) 

THE SHIP AT SEA 

{Speaks first two verses in a loud, stow, monotonous voice, 
without changing position . ) 

It was a black, an awful night, 
And as dark as it could be. 
No star gave out a ray of light, 
For a storm hung o'er the sea. 

The great sea yawned with awful thirst 
For a boat just sailing by, 
The thunder rolled and the lightning burst, 
And the waves went dashing high. 

Mrs. L. (low voice). Scst ! Put in your gestures. 

(Johnny repeats second verse, putting in gestures.) 

Johnny. The great sea yawned with an awful thirst, 

(Makes an arc with right arm at the zvord "yawned.") 

For a boat just sailing by, 

{With up and down motion of right arm indicates a boat 
sailing.) 

The thunder rolled 



(Sweeps right arm vigorously in circular motion to indicate 
rolling of thunder.) 

and the lightning burst, 

(Say s "burst" explosively, and at same time thrusts out left 
arm, exposing the large rip in arm-hole of sleeve.) 

And the waves went dashing high. 

(Raises both arms to indicate high waves.) 

Then the captain said to his sailors brave, 
" We are doomed this night to die, 
This vessel now no man can save 
From the rocks that yonder lie." 



16 johnny's new suit 

{Points with forefinger to left of stage to indicate "rocks 
yonder ' ' a?id again exposes the rip. Mrs. L. discovers it 
and during next verse attempts to call his attetition to it.) 

Just as he spoke the little craft, 

Mrs. L. Scst ! Johnny ! 

(Johnny fails to hear and does not look her way.) 

Johnny. A sailing this fatal course, 

Mrs. L. Scst ! Johnny ! 

(Johnny pauses a moment, glances at his mother and con- 
tinues. ) 

Johnny. Was hit by the breakers fore and aft, 

(Swifigs left arm forward to indicate "fore" and back- 
ward for "aft") 

With wild and awful force. 

Mrs. L. Your sleeve, Johnny ! Put your hand over it. 

(Johnny pauses, bewildered, and looks at his mother. 
Mrs. L. points to rip. Johnny sees it and clutches it 
together ivith his left hand.) 

Johnny. Then in a trice the vessel dashed 
Right onto the rocks below, 

{Starts to point to rocks at left zvith left hand, remembers the 
rip and starts to point with right hand. He finds this 
inconvenient, so clutches rip with right hand and finally 
points with left hand to indicate " rocks below") 

Like a little chip the keel was smashed, 

{Claps hands together to indicate "smashing") 

By the force of the awful blow. 

The deck was swept and the sails were rent, 

{Remembers to clutch rip again with his left hand, but for- 
gets his lines and looks blankly over heads of audience, not 
at his mother.) 



JOHNNY S NEW SUIT 17 

-was swept — and the sails were rent 

{Short pause.') 
and the sails — were rent 



{Little longer pause. .) 

And the — {recovering) and the sailors lost their 

hold 
On the slippery rail — and down they went 
Right into the sea so cold. 

{Forgets rip, puts hands together like a diver and bends 
knees at the same time to show how ship went down.) 

Only the captain and his mate 
Were left on the sinking ship, 
And each one knew that soon or late 
The boat from the rock would slip. 

{Dips and slides one foot forward to indicate slipping of the 
ship.) 

The brave mate tried to do his part, (Hesitates.) 

The brave mate tried to do — his part, 

He came from a sturdy race, 

But when he thought of his dear sweetheart 

The tears streamed down his face. 

(Johnny sniffs, and feels for his right coat pocket, then for 
his right pants pocket. Sniffs again.) 

-thought of his dear sweetheart 



The tears streamed down his face. 

{Feels with his left hand for his left coat pocket.) 

The tears streamed down his face. (Sniffs again.) 

Mrs. L. Go on, go on ! 

(Johnny clutches rip again, and in his efforts to keep edges 
together he is quite as apt to separate them. ) 

Johnny. But the captain said, ''Cheer up, my lad, 
The most we can do is die, 
And the sea for toll has often had 
Better men than you and I." 



18 johnny's new suit 

And all the time the thunder rolled, 

(Makes another large circle with right arm to indicate roll- 
ing of thunder.) 

And the lightning flashed again, 

(Makes a very quick up and doivn motion with right arm to 
indicate flash of lightning. Left hand still holds rip in 
left sleeve.) 

The breakers came a thousanc^fold 
And drenched these luckless men. 

Mrs. L. Johnny ! 

(Johnny is interested only in his lines.) 

Johnny. And the vessel tossed in its rocky bed, 

{Leans first to one side then the other to indicate rocking 
of boat.) 

All covered with ocean spray, 

Mrs. L. (with anxiety). Johnny ! 

(Johnny merely glances at his mother.) 

Johnny. " Stand back, (Steps one step back stiffly.) 

stand back," 

(Steps forward to position again.) 

— —the captain said, 
" The mast has been torn away." 

Mrs. L. The side seam, Johnny ! 

(Johnny pauses, bewildered, and glances to see that he is 
still holding the rip. Looks at his mother defiantly.) 

Johnny. "The mast lias been torn away." 

Mrs. L. The side seam, Johnny, it's a-ripping ! (Johnny 
then clulcJies his right side seajti at the hips 7vith his right hand 
and still holding the sleeve with his left he forgets his lines com- 
pletely. His mother prompts him.) " This is our chance : " 



JOHNNY S NEW SUIT I 

Johnny. " This is our chance, my boy," said he, 
When the mast came crashing down, 

{Takes both hands away to show the crashing of the mast.) 

" If we cling to the mast we're safe, you see, 
And we will not have to drown." 

They seized it 



( Tries to show how they seized it, but his coat gets in the 
way and he clutches one of the pins in the hem.) 

Ough ! {Begins to search for the pin that scratched him.) 
Mrs. L. {eagerly). Hush ! {Prompting.) " They seized 

it " 

Johnny. They seized it just as a mighty wave 
Swept it far into the sea, 
And the captain said 

{Hesitates and looks at his mother.) 

-said — " My lad, be brave, 



For that is a star I see." 

{Takes left hand from sleeve and points very quickly to star 
over his head, then holds sleeve again.) 

The heavens brightened star by star, 

{As both hands are occupied, he looks up and tries to point to 
two stars by motion of his head.) 

The waves soon ceased their strife, 

While clinging — {hesitating) while clinging to the 

broken spar, 
The two men fought for life. 

And they went floating on {Hesitates.) 

Mrs. L. {prompting). " and on " 

Johnny. And on {Looks at mother again.) 

Mrs. L. {prompting). " and on " 

Johnny. And on 

Mrs. L. Well, say it, "On and on." 

Johnny. On and on 

Mrs. L. {prompting ) . ' ' And they went floating on and on, " 



20 johnny's new suit 

Johnny. And they went floating on and on, 
Through all that awful night, 
They were still floating when the dawn 
Broke with the morning light. 

" A sail, a sail," the captain said, 

{Points with right hand over heads of audience to indicate 
the approach of the sail.) 

" Hold on, my lad, hold on," 

{This reminds Johnny of his seams and he clutches the rips 
with great vigor.) 

u A boat is coming straight ahead, 
Our fears will soon begone." 

But the mate was cold — (hesitating) his lips, — 
(pausing) his lips {Longer pause.) 

Mrs. L. {prompting). " Were dumb." 
Johnny. Were dumb, 

And he could only gasp, 

His hands from holding on were numb — {re- 
peating) numb 

( Without taking hands from coat, he straightens fingers to 
show numbness of hands.) 

And he almost lost his grasp. 

He thought his sweetheart called him, 
And his arms began to s-l-l-ip, — 

(Becomes absorbed in the story and slowly lowers arms.) 

But they seized him and they hauled him 
Onto the rescue ship. 

( Clutches both sides of his coat and draws it forward to 
show manner of rescue. This causes the basting-thread 
in the back to give zvay and the coat rips its entire length. 
He does not notice this, but Mrs. L. does and she hastily 
removes her shawl.) 

They wrapped him in a blanket then, 
And warmed him very fast, 



JOHNNY S NEW SUIT 21 

{Pulls coat around him to indicate man being wrapped in 
bla7iket and discovers to his horror that his coat has 
ripped. He gives his mother an agonized glance. Mrs. L. 
immediately steps upon the stage from main hall. She 
steps quickly behind Johnny and places her shawl over 
him. Johnny is greatly bewildered by her action.) 

Mrs. L. Go on and finish. (She coolly finds her place in 
the book and prompts.) "And the captain " 

(Johnny meekly finishes.') 

Johnny. And the captain promptly thanked the men 

That the boy was safe at last. (Bows slightly.) 

Mrs. L. {facing audience). Gentlemen and ladies, I hope 
you will please excuse Johnny ; I shall have to take him home 
early. He's been suffering from a cold and he ain't feeling 
just right. 

(She tries to hurry Johnny toward exit, but Johnny holds 
back.) 

Johnny. But, ma, ain't you going to wait for the prize? 

Mrs. L. Hush ! (She pushes him toivard exit. Just be- 
fore they exit she speaks in lowered voiced) It ain't my fault 
if you lost the prize ; I told you not to strain them seams. 

(Both exeunt. Off stage Johnny is heard bawling.) 

Deacon (rising). All them that's been competing this 
evening has done their pootiest, and the effect has been most 
raymarkable, but the judges argy that the prize should go to 
John Larkin for the masterly way he handled a difficult sub- 
ject while suffering from a cold. The opinion is onanomous. 

Miss B. (stepping i?i front of stage with picture). Will 
Master John Larkin please advance and receive this beautiful 
picture? 

(Johnny enters with shawl on. He takes a few steps for- 
ward, looks back to see if his mother is following. As he 
does not see her he casts off the shawl and steps fonvard 
for the prize. Mrs. L. peeks in to see if everything is 
going right and discovers to her horror that the shawl is 
upon the floor. She enters, picks up the shawl and comes 



22 JOHNNY'S NEW SUIT 

up behind Johnny hastily. She reaches him just as he 
receives the prize. Johnny looks tip and sees the shawl 
about to descend again upon his manly shoulders. With 
a quick motion he turns and circles out toward the exit, 
and as he tucks the picture under his arm the rip in the 
back of the coat is plainly visible. He exits hastily, 
closely followed by Mrs. L. and the shawl.) 



CURTAIN 



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